Dies when shifted into reverse, what's up with that?

[papabear563]

Just bought my first bug, a 74 S.B. w/sunroof. Bought it for $450 off of Samba it had some serious body cancer issues. I have replaced the hood , both front fenders , and the driverside door is next. Except for some very minor rust through holes it is in great shape for sitting uncovered on the oregon coast for seven years. It is a one owner with 25163 original miles on it and surprisingly after sitting that long it just fires up. I have not fully road tested it yet but my first real problem is that dies when put into reverse, and can not find anything that addresses this issue. Any ideas would help. Oh ya it is an auto shift if that helps.

[Randy in Maine]

You coil is wired up incorrectly.

Back up light need to be wired to the "+" or "15" side of the coil.

I will bet a million dollars (and I have the money right here in my pocket) that yours are wired up to the "-" or "1" side where the green points wire goes.

[Joel]

as randy said its been done millions of times b4

when was it last on the road??
i think u will find the speedo is atleast on its 2nd time around i would be very highly surprised if it really is on 25k unless it was stored not long after it was bought new
_________________
Quick little bug, you got a Porsche motor in that?
1974 Germanlook 1303 2.5 Suba-Beetle

[papabear563]

Well I hope it is as simple as a crossed wire. All miles are fully documented from the original owner. It was a second car from the time it was brought over from Germany.

[jamesdagg]

About the miles. Are the rubber pedal pads worn? They should look pretty new at 25,000, not worn in the corners.

I imagine you might have the original spare tire if the miles are that low. I still have the original in mine like new.

jim
_________________
'72 FI Westy
'71 Super rear inside defrost vents no longer available

[Randy in Maine]

Here is the wiring set up that I forgot to post earlier...

[Bookwus]

Hiya papa,

Good advice from both Randy and Jim.

You mentioned that your new car is an AutoStick. It is possible that you may have another problem (which is contributing to your reverse stall-out situation) in addition to having the coil cross-wired. Many of the AutoSticks have had one of their vacuum hoses misconnected which results in an abrupt shift action (and this is especially true of shifting into reverse). This abrupt shift can cause the car stall out if the engine is not in good tune.

For more technical information about this condition and living with an AutoStick in general, point your browser at www.vwar.org
_________________
Mike

1970 AS Bug
1970 Bus - The Ruptured Duck

Have an AutoStick? Check out www.auto-stick.com

[papabear563]

Well I'LL give the wiring issue a look at first then the vacum hoses. The pedals and spare do look new . Thank you everybody for your suggestions hopefully one of them will solve it. If anyone comes up with anything else let me know.

[zoti]

OK. Why is the reverse light getting power from the coil and not from somwhere else?

[Joel]

thats how they were all wired up....
_________________
Quick little bug, you got a Porsche motor in that?
1974 Germanlook 1303 2.5 Suba-Beetle

[2002sportside]

[jamesdagg]

It saves a few feet of wire. Same reason they put switches on ground wires. It was an economy car after all.

jim
_________________
'72 FI Westy
'71 Super rear inside defrost vents no longer available

[heimlich]

My car is doing the same thing but only when I first start it. When it's warmed up it's fine. Also, when I come to a stop light it sometimes dies. I do not have an autostick.

The only wire that is coming to the coil I can think this might be is the one coming from the starter area. This one is connected to the "-" side of the coil.

[Cusser]

[Lingwendil]

[heimlich]

That helps. I was following the wiring from one of my Beetles which must have obviously been wired up wrong.

[heimlich]

That fixed it. Thanks for the help!